Plan B: What are the changes

The government will implement Plan B for the management of COVID and the Omicron Variant. We look at the changes that are being applied.

As a response to the increased spread of the Omicron variant, and to allow time for the scientific community to assess the impact of Omicron on the vaccine and immune response (including various combinations of vaccines), the government have told press and public at a conference that now is the right time to implement “Plan B” COVID restrictions, deeming it “proportionate and responsible” action, which will be applied in coordination with the Devolved Administrations.

What has changed?

To attempt to slow the spread of the variant, a number of restrictions and arrangements are to be applied as part of Plan B, which include;

Reintroduction of the guidance to work from home.

Employers should use the rest of this week to discuss working arrangements with their employees. However, from Monday you should work from home if you can. Go to work if you must but work from home if you can.

Legal requirement for mask wearing extended.

Friday will see the legal requirement to wear a face mask extended to most public indoor venues, including theatres and cinemas.

There will be of course exemptions where it is not practical, such as when eating, drinking, exercising or singing.

NHS COVID Pass (Mandatory) for mass gatherings

The NHS Covid Pass will now be mandatory for entry into nightclubs, and venues where large crowds gather including;

-        unseated indoor venues with more than 500 people

-        unseated outdoor venues with more than 4,000 people

-        and any venue with more than 10,000 people.

The NHS Covid Pass can still be obtained with two doses, but we will keep this under review as the boosters roll out. Having taken clinical advice since the emergence of Omicron, a negative lateral flow test will also be sufficient.

As set out in Plan B, the government will give businesses a week’s notice, so this will come into force in a week’s time, helping to keep these events and venues open at full capacity, while giving everyone who attends them confidence that those around them have done the responsible thing to minimise risk to others.

As Omicron spreads in the community, the government will also introduce daily tests for contacts instead of isolation, so we keep people safe while minimising the disruption to daily life.

All restrictions will be reviewed and updated accordingly as more data or government / industry changes are applied.